TGA Black cockle - Batissa violacea

The black cockle Batissa violacea does not actually belong to the cockles (a marine species), but to the basket shells. This tropical bivalve from freshwater rivers and brackish estuaries in the west-central Pacific reaches a size of 10 cm, and sometimes even up to 15 cm. In its native country it is a popular edible mussel. Its black color makes it an interesting aquarium inhabitant.

Due to its rather large final size, the black cockle should be kept in an aquarium with a length of at least 80 cm. It needs sandy bottom or very fine gravel in a thickness that allows it to bury itself completely. Often only the top rim peeks out with the funnel-shaped inlet opening that the mussel uses to draw in the water, which it then filters for suspended solids. A filter is often counterproductive in a mussel aquarium because it cleans the water too much. However, a flow pump is beneficial to mussels because it ensures that dust food and particles are continuously fed to them. However, the current should not be too strong.

The tropical black cockle likes its water medium hard to hard (brackish water possible), and with a pH above 7.5. The temperature should be 22 to 28 °C.

If Batissa violacea is fed once or twice a day with a dust food adapted to its special needs, it can achieve quite a long life in the aquarium. Since it sifts the water for suspended matter, the filter should be switched off during feeding and ideally also for some time afterwards. For feeding we recommend our specially designed pipette for filter feeders. Mussels close when they feel threatened, so especially in the beginning you should not get too close to them, which makes feeding more difficult.

The black cockle tends not to reproduce in the aquarium.

Batissa violacea has no great demands on its co-inhabitants, it can be wellsocialized with peaceful, not too curious fish or dwarf and fan shrimp . Also dwarf crayfish, snails and of course other shells  are suitable. Large crayfish, predatory longarm shrimp and large crabs will pry open mussels or crack the shells, and prey on the then helpless animals. Mussels should therefore not be allowed in the aquarium with them.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.